On October 24-25, the NYU Center for Mind, Brain, and Consciousnessand the NYU Center for Bioethics will host a conference on MeasuringBorderline States of Consciousness.

There are famous difficulties in measuring subjective states ofconsciousness. Nevertheless, a number of techniques have recentlybeen developed for measuring states of consciousness in clinicalsettings. These techniques have been applied to borderlines states ofconsciousness: in particular, those found in brain-damaged patientsdiagnosed with vegetative state, and those found in patients underanesthesia. Measures using fMRI imaging, electroencephelography, andvarious other technologies have been developed.

These measures pose any number of scientific and philosophicalquestions. What is the best measure of consciousness in these cases?How can we justify these measures, given the private and subjectivenature of consciousness? What is the best way to use these measuresclinically? What ethical issues do they raise? What might thesemeasures tell us about the nature of consciousness? All of thesequestions and more will be discussed at the workshop.